This is page numbers 843 - 862 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was process.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Roger Allen, Honourable Jim Antoine, Mr. Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Delorey, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Lee, Mr. McLeod, Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Roland, Honourable Vince Steen, Honourable Tony Whitford

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will be attending the Western Premier's Conference in Kelowna, British Columbia, starting Monday night, for Monday and Tuesday, along with the Premiers of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Yukon. The Northwest Territories will be leading two agenda items at this year's conference.

I will be speaking to the issue of devolution, in the context of a general discussion on the state of federal/provincial/territorial relations and options to improve the currently rather strained relations between provinces and territories and the federal government.

I intend to make the case that devolution is an important step towards rebuilding these relationships by setting the stage for mutually respectful intergovernmental relations.

All jurisdictions must manage and control the scope and pace of development of their resources and benefit from that development. We will make it clear that a devolution agreement will allow northern governments to influence the scope and pace of future developments and will ensure, as well, that Canadians are ready to seize the economic opportunities brought on by development of northern resources.

It is imperative that First Ministers realize that a devolution agreement is an important element in ensuring that northern governments have the financial resources to invest in their people and their economies, and that it is, in fact, in the national interest to support a fair and equitable agreement.

The Northwest Territories is also leading the discussion on diamonds. As you know, Minister Antoine and the Department of RWED have worked hard to raise the national awareness about diamonds.

I will continue to make the case that Canada needs to develop a Canadian diamond strategy that aims to maximize the benefits to all Canadians from all stages of the emerging diamond industry, including exploration, mining and value added. I will seek support from Premiers to invite the federal government to join the provinces and territories in the development of a Canadian diamond strategy, including an open exchange of the issues associated with the promotion of a Canadian secondary diamond industry.

As in previous meetings of this nature, I will, of course, work closely with my northern colleagues, honourable Premiers Okalik and Fentie, to ensure that our collective northern voices are heard loud and clear.

I will report back to the House on any progress upon my return. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

GNWT Capital Planning Process In The Deh Cho
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to make a statement on the capital planning process. This issue has been a concern for quite some time now, it's been raised in this House many times, it's also an issue that was raised to the Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs committee and we heard complaints from all over the North. In fact, my colleague Mr. Lafferty made a statement regarding this issue two days ago. Granted this government has made several attempts to rectify the situation, last winter the Premier sent a letter to all the communities in the Northwest Territories, asking them for input on capital plans. I'm not sure what the outcome of that was, we haven't seen anything yet.

So I took it upon myself as an MLA to go to the communities I represent to meet with the chiefs and to meet with the leaders, to bring in some of the Ministers. Almost every Minister on that side of the House came to the communities and met and talked about capital planning and capital projects. Some came twice, in fact. There was a lot of time, a lot of energy and a lot of money spent on this whole process.

So when it came to this year's capital planning, I was quite comfortable with the meetings we had, with the 20-year needs assessment, with last year's business plans, that we were going to have a fairly decent capital plan in place. I was quite pleased to see that the Minister announced that we would have government officials attending the communities, having meetings with the leaders and working on developing a long-term plan.

So you can imagine my surprise, Mr. Speaker, when I was informed that this group was actually presented plans that didn't reflect anything that we talked about. In fact, I'll show you Hay River's plan. For the next three years we have $25,000. What happened to the school that we agreed to? The reserve is putting in $250,000 of their own money. It's not here. The road improvement program; that's not here. We had an arena, we had a health centre in the 20-year plan. That's disappeared. Where is it?

Mr. Speaker, we have NWT-wide paving programs that have been announced and swimming pool programs that are not reflected anywhere. So I ask where did this new plan come from? When I ask the Ministers to explain it, they say they don't have any say into what goes into the capital plan. It's up to a deputy ministers' capital planning review committee.

GNWT Capital Planning Process In The Deh Cho
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mr. McLeod, your time for Member's statements is over. Mr. McLeod.

GNWT Capital Planning Process In The Deh Cho
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

GNWT Capital Planning Process In The Deh Cho
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. McLeod, you may conclude.

GNWT Capital Planning Process In The Deh Cho
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, when I approached the Ministers for some answers they claimed it's up to a review committee made up of deputy ministers. Many of the Ministers have never met this committee. So I ask who's representing my interest? Who meets and lobbies the deputy ministers for projects in my riding? And what is my role as an MLA in this whole process? The Ministers certainly seem to have little say. I don't even know where to direct my questions.

The responsibility for capital planning for this government lies with an invisible, in-the-shadows group of deputy ministers whose names we don't even know.

GNWT Capital Planning Process In The Deh Cho
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

Foggy bottom.

GNWT Capital Planning Process In The Deh Cho
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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Maybe, Mr. Speaker, that's who we, as MLAs, should be meeting with. Maybe that's who should be going to the communities to talk to the community leaders. Maybe we should be reducing the number of Ministers on the other side of the House and making these people responsible, because they're doing all the work. They're the ones being charged with the responsibility. We're always hearing task teams, deputy ministers' review committees.

We need a system, Mr. Speaker, that is going to be clear, that places the responsibility back into hands of the Ministers. We need a system that will give us a say as MLAs, and we need a system that's going to be clear and transparent so our people in the communities can take part.

Mr. Speaker, the system we have now is complicated, it doesn't work, we don't know who's in charge and we have to fix it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Wood Buffalo On NWT Highways
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past few years there have been numerous accidents involving bison along our highways. I think it is time for the Department of Transportation to put more safety measures in place. Bison are moving further north, and signage alerting motorists of wildlife is needed. I think it would be wise for the department to put large signs on Highway No. 3 indicating buffalo between Yellowknife and Edzo and along the Rae access road.

A few weeks ago, one of my constituents hit a buffalo at kilometre 268, which is between Yellowknife and Stagg River. Their vehicle was totaled. I am concerned that unless safety notices are posted alerting motorists of wildlife, there will be more wildlife hurt and motorists injured and more vehicles will be damaged.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions on this statement.

---Applause

Wood Buffalo On NWT Highways
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

NWT Track And Field Championships In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon in Hay River the closing ceremonies for the 13th Annual Territorial Track and Field Meet will take place. This year's meet got kicked off in fine form again on Wednesday night, as 1,142 athletes and their 130 coaches poured into the arena under the banners of their schools. Whether the delegation from the little school in Kakisa or rather large from as far away as the Samuel Hearne in Inuvik, school spirit soared as the audience applauded to the backdrop of music and flashing lights.

The 300 volunteers required to carry off this event were readily identifiable in the crowd in their bright yellow jackets, sponsored by Hay River corporate contributors.

Also cheering on the athletes on stage were eight Members of this Assembly, and I would like to thank them for making that effort at the end of our very first busy day of session. Your presence, Mr. Speaker, and that of Minister Jim Antoine, Minister Roger Allen, Minister Vince Steen, Members Michael McLeod, Leon Lafferty, Mr. Delorey and myself, I am sure, conveyed the government's support of this event for these young people.

The lighting of the torch, the athletes' oath, the greetings from Sharon Firth and Michael Argue attending as part of Sport North Esteem Team and the musical presentations all made for a very exciting event.

I look forward to hearing the stories and highlights about outstanding efforts and achievement of this year's meet in the days ahead. Thank you again goes to the volunteer efforts of Hay River for hosting what I'm sure was another very successful territorial Track and Field Meet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

NWT Track And Field Championships In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Tribute To NWT Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to all the seniors in our communities throughout the Northwest Territories for the crucial role that they play in giving us guidance, providing us wisdom and also showing us the road to respecting others.

Mr. Speaker, the seniors are a key aspect to how our communities function. Yet, Mr. Speaker, still today we see a lot of barriers put in the way of our seniors to partake in just the day-to-day work of our councils, or in providing language programs, or even in pursuing sewing as a hobby. Mr. Speaker, I think as a government we have to bring down these barriers so that seniors can play a meaningful role in all our communities.

We talk about seniors' fuel subsidy programs, where there's an inequity in the way that it was calculated based on seniors income. I raised that issue in this House and there has been some direction to change that.

We have a system that basically deals with property tax rebates, where you have to go in every year and reapply. We suggested that they consider that once you register as a senior, automatically that system will continue.

Mr. Speaker, there are other initiatives in our communities that we feel are crucial to keeping our seniors in our communities and making sure that they don't have to be sent away to long-term care wards either in regional centres or elsewhere. We need more seniors' independent housing in our communities. We need to ensure that there are elders' homes available to our seniors so we can offer them an alternative to being sent away; to keep them in our communities so that they can be close to their loved ones and families, especially their grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I think it's important as a government that we take that extra step and make that extra effort to make the lives of our seniors more comfortable. We need to simplify the policies, procedures and red tape so that the seniors don't have to deal with the extra pressures and stress of worrying about why their pension was deducted, or why was a fuel subsidy taken away, or why did we not allow them some improvements to their independent houses through housing programs.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Tribute To NWT Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Krutko, you may conclude your statement.

Tribute To NWT Seniors
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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it's important that we as a government do everything we can not only to improve the lives of our seniors, but to simplify the bureaucracy that seniors have to go through. That's something we can do here in this House for the benefit of our seniors.

With that, again I would like to thank all our seniors in the Northwest Territories for all that they do for us day in and day out, and wish them good health and mahsi cho.

---Applause

Tribute To NWT Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Regulatory Process Impeding Northern Development
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to a matter that has proven time and time again to be a hindrance in northern development. The matter I refer to, Mr. Speaker, is the cumbersome regulatory process in effect in the Northwest Territories which does absolutely nothing to show prospective developers that the North is open and ready to do business.

Mr. Speaker, I was very disturbed to learn that a large international seismic company by the name of Western Geco is unable to return to Hay River this year due to their uncertainty about our unyielding regulatory process. As a direct result of this, NTCL in Hay River -- a wholly northern company -- has lost a $2.5 million contract, and that is totally unacceptable to me.

Western Geco is an international seismic company that conducts seismic studies and gathers data, which in turn they sell to oil and gas companies. The project in question is the study of the Mackenzie and Liard rivers, and it could be said that this is indeed part of the big picture, that being oil and gas development and the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

I might add, Mr. Speaker, that Western Geco has conducted these same seismic studies worldwide, in such places as Europe, Asia and the Amazon. Last year alone, Mr. Speaker, Western Geco spent between $5 million and $8 million on this project, and a fair chunk of that was spent in the Hay River area. However, most of it was spent proving that their system is environmentally friendly and it did not kill fish.

But, Mr. Speaker, due to the uncertainty surrounding our regulatory process, Western Geco lost momentum on this project and has reassigned their equipment and personnel to other areas until next year; providing, of course, that they are approved by then.

Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that due to the hoops that companies like Western Geco have to jump through, such as uncertainties on timelines and the length of time to be approved, a review must be undertaken by this government of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that we as a government be seen as proactive and encourage developers to come and do business in the North. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is crucial that we devote more resources to such groups as the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board so that these long, cumbersome processes are shortened. We need to stop coming up with roadblocks that impede development.

Mr. Speaker, this would go a long way to ensuring that companies such as Western Geco are able to do business in the North, and prove to developers that the North is a realistic place to come and do business. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, June is a special time of year. Not only does the colour return to the land in the form of gardens and the greenery that we now see; as well, Mr. Speaker, it's a special time of year for students across the Northwest Territories, as the majority of students look at this month as the end of their school years between kindergarten to Grade 12.

Mr. Speaker, it also marks the end of a journey for some of those students, as some of those students look towards their graduations and their final exams during this month. I say this because, Mr. Speaker, I will be travelling back to my constituency today to attend the graduation ceremony of Samuel Hearne Secondary School. It has always been a pleasure to travel back and see the students and their parents as they finish this part of their journey, and then embark on their next as they look at life as an adult and take that journey in earnest, to move forward and take their skills and put them into practice.

So I'll just inform the House and my constituents that I'll be glad to be home this evening and take part in that activity. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.